The Jets traded for this former Las Vegas Raiders signal caller to be their 2026 starting quarterback.
The New York Jets went full circle for their next quarterback, and they landed on that in a reunion with quarterback Geno Smith in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday. Rather than wait for his release, the Jets facilitated a trade to get their starter, according to ESPN. New York is sending a 2026 sixth-round pick for Smith and a 2026 seventh rounder. He is already at the Jets facility and passed a physical. It completes a journey for Smith after starting as New York’s signal caller from 2013 to 2015 until he fractured his jaw from a punch by a teammate during a locker room dispute.
In addition, the Jets and Smith renegotiated his contract terms in order to get the trade done, with the Raiders reportedly taking on the bulk of the payout. Before the restructure, he had two years and $66 million remaining on the deal with $18.5 million in guarantees. He would’ve been much cheaper on Wednesday when he would’ve been released at 4 p.m. – they could’ve signed him at the vet minimum of $1.3 million. But that would’ve came with risk of competition, with the Minnesota Vikings being known suitors.
Here is the full story from Jets Roundtable writer RC Nazemi on the major trade for New York’s next starter.
This likely telegraphs a move on from Justin Fields, who was benched after nine starts last season. That leaves Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe under contract, with the Jets looking at some veteran backups for Smith such as Carson Wentz.